Kia VIN Decoder

With several Kia models out there, picking the right one for your needs may seem daunting. By subjecting the VIN numbers into our Kia VIN decoder, you can easily compare vehicle specifications, options, features, and even history and condition and make a wise buying decision.

What is a Kia VIN Number?

A Kia VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is a unique code that identifies a specific Kia vehicle. Most Kia VINs are 17 characters long, but older models might have between 5 to 14 digits.

An example of a Kia VIN is KNAFX4A67E5123456, which gives information about the car’s model, engine type, and where it was built.

Over the years, Kia has evolved from making budget-friendly cars to producing stylish and reliable vehicles. Decoding a Kia VIN helps you check the car’s features, vehicle history, recalls, and compatible parts, ensuring you have accurate details when buying or maintaining a Kia.

Kia VIN Number Breakdown: How to Read a Kia VIN Number

Note that the letters I, O, and Q are not included in a VIN to avoid confusion with the numbers 1 (One), 0 (Zero) and 9 (Nine)

Now, let’s break down what all the characters of a Kia VIN mean. A VIN comprises 17 characters (except in classic vehicles), and each gives you a clue about your Kia’s specific details. These characters are also grouped into three sections to make decoding easier, they are:

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI): This includes the first three characters (characters 1 – 3) and signifies the vehicle’s country of origin and manufacturer.

Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS): This section includes the 4th to 8th characters (characters 4 – 8) and contains information about the vehicle’s make, engine specs, model, and more.

Vehicle Identifier Section: Here, you will find the 9th to 17th characters (characters 9 – 17), which encode details like the model year, manufacturing plant code, and a serial number unique to each vehicle.

What Does Each Character of the VIN Mean?

In this section, we will explain what each character of the Kia 17-digit VIN number means based on the VIN format codes since the 2010 model year. For a full Kia VIN breakdown, consult the Kia VIN codes book.

1st—3rd Characters: The first three characters denote the Kia country of origin, manufacturer, and vehicle type, respectively. Some of the characters include:
- KNA = Kia South Korea (passenger car)
- KNC = Kia South Korea (truck)
- KND = Kia South Korea (multi-purpose vehicle)
- KNE = Kia South Korea (passenger car)
- KNG = Kia South Korea (bus)

4th Character: This provides information about the Make and line. Some of the characters include:
- A: Rio (2018 – 2023, Mexican-built), EV9 (2024 and up)
- C: Niro (2017 and up), EV6 (2022 and up)
- D: Rio (2010 -, Korean-built)
- E: Stinger (2018-2023), Seltos (2021 and up)
- F: Forte (2010-2024), K4 (2025 and up)

5th Character: This represents the model series. Some of the characters for a 2016 Model year Kia VIN include:
- J: L (Low Grade)K: GL (Middle-Low Grade)
- X: GLS, JSL, TAX (Middle Grade)
- Y: HGS (Middle-High Grade)
- Z: TOP (High Grade

6th Character: This represents the vehicle’s body style, which includes sedan, hatchback, wagon, SUV, and more.

7th Character: This represents the restraint system. Some of the characters include:
- A: Driver-side airbag
- B: Dual airbags

8th character: This provides details about the engine type, such as inline 4-cylinder, V6, diesel, or electric. Some of the characters include:
- 1: Gasoline 1.6 DOHC MPI Gamma2: Gasoline 1.6 DOHC GDI Gamma
- 3: Gasoline 1.6 DOHC T-GDI Gamma
- 6: Gasoline 1.8 DOHC MPi Nu

9th Character: This is the check digit that verifies that the VIN is authentic and not a fake string of random characters. It is calculated using a specific algorithm developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

10th Character: The tenth character indicates the model year and alternates between numbers and letters.

Here’s a table that can help you quickly identify any car’s model year:

Code/Year	Code/Year	Code/Year	Code/Year	Code/Year
A 1980 B 1981 C 1982 D 1983 E 1984 F 1985 G 1986 H 1987 J 1988 K 1989	L 1990 M 1991 N 1992 P 1993 R 1994 S 1995 T 1996 V 1997 W 1998 X 1999	Y 2000 1 2001 2 2002 3 2003 4 2004 5 2005 6 2006 7 2007 8 2008 9 2009	A 2010 B 2011 C 2012 D 2013 E 2014 F 2015 G 2016 H 2017 J 2018 K 2019	L 2020 M 2021 N 2022 P 2023 R 2024 S 2025 T 2026 V 2027 W 2028 X 2029

11th Character: The eleventh character shows the manufacturing plant. The possible characters include:
- E = Pesqueria, Nuevo Leon, MexicoG = West Point, Georgia, USA
- J = Nošovice, Czech Republic (TMA) (Hyundai plant)
- L = Žilina, Slovakia
- N = Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, India
- R = Saint Petersburg, Russia (Hyundai plant)
- T = Seosan, South Korea (Donghee Auto Co. Ltd. plant)
- 5 = Osnabrück, Germany (Karmann, KNA)
- 5 = Hwasung, South Korea
- 6 = Sohari plant, Gwangmyeong, South Korea
- 7 = Gwangju, South Korea

11th Character: The eleventh character shows the manufacturing plant. The possible characters include:

You can spend a lot of time trying to decode a VIN manually, and this is usually prone to errors. We recommend using our reliable Kia VIN decoder to get accurate information as quickly as possible.

Get a Kia VIN Number Lookup

Kia VIN Number Location: Where is the VIN on My Kia

For your Kia VIN location, check the following places :

On the dashboard of the vehicle, near the windshield.
On the driver’s side door jamb.
On the engine block, check under the hood.
Check a sticker typically located behind the door latch.
On the car’s title, registration, maintenance book, or the auto insurance policy

Now that you’ve found the VIN, it’s time to retrieve all the information available from the VIN.

Decode your Kia VIN now

What Information Can I Get from Decoding a Kia VIN Number?

A Kia VIN number decoder can help you access everything about a new or used Kia, including vehicle specifications, features, build sheets, and past history records.

Here are some Kia specifications you can access when you use our Kia VIN decoder:

Year
Make
Exterior dimensions
Number of doors
Ground clearance
Standard seating
Transmission style
Fuel type
Braking
Range extender
Engine Description
Front airbag information
Emissions
Cargo dimensions

Model
Valve train design
Interior dimensions
Suspension
Traction battery
Engine Size and specs
Drive Type
Tank capacity
Trailering
Displacement
Mileage
Tire pressure and size
Wheels
Electrical powertrain

Trim
Country
Delivery charges
Steering
Weight
MSRP
Body type
Seating
EPA Class
Engine model
Engine configuration
Seat belt type
Off-road attributes
Electrical specifications

Year
Make
Exterior dimensions
Number of doors
Ground clearance
Standard seating
Transmission style
Fuel type
Braking
Range extender
Engine Description
Front airbag information
Emissions
Cargo dimensions
Model
Valve train design
Interior dimensions
Suspension
Traction battery
Engine Size and specs
Drive Type

Tank capacity
Trailering
Displacement
Mileage
Tire pressure and size
Wheels
Electrical powertrain
Trim
Country
Delivery charges
Steering
Weight
MSRP
Body type
Seating
EPA Class
Engine model
Engine configuration
Seat belt type
Off-road attributes
Electrical specifications

Buying a Used Kia? Look Beyond a Kia VIN Decoder

The VIN is like your car’s unique ID, showing where it was built and its key features. But it can tell you much more. If you’re thinking of buying a used Kia car, it’s a good idea to look deeper. With our trusted Kia VIN lookup tool, you can find important details like accident history, previous owners, and maintenance records. This gives you the information you need to make a smart and confident purchase.

By conducting a Kia VIN number lookup, you can track the vehicle history records from when the vehicle first left the factory. Below are the records you can uncover:

Mileage
Odometer Readings
Sales History
Auction History
Accident History
Title Brand

Salvage Title
Hail Damage
Flood Damage
Structural Damage
Ownership History
Usage History

Ownership Duration
Lien & Loans
Maintenance Schedule
Warranty Status
Repair Cost
Recalls History

Mileage
Odometer Readings
Sales History
Auction History
Accident History
Title Brand
Salvage Title
Hail Damage
Flood Damage

Structural Damage
Ownership History
Usage History
Ownership Duration
Lien & Loans
Maintenance Schedule
Warranty Status
Repair Cost
Recalls History

How to Decode a Kia VIN Number For Detailed Vehicle Information

A free VIN decoder gives you some basic information, but it doesn’t always tell the full story. For detailed facts about a Kia, like its features, options, original price (MSRP), fuel efficiency, safety ratings, warranty, and color, try our Kia window sticker lookup by VIN. You can also search using the US license plate or its year, make, and model.

If you’re buying a used Kia for sale and want to check its history and condition, use our Kia VIN number check tool to uncover any hidden records and get a clearer picture before making a decision.

Follow these simple steps to get your Kia vehicle history reports within seconds:

In the form above, enter the Kia VIN, email, and phone (optional) i. Our tool can decode standard VINs (17 characters) and classic VINs (5 – 14 characters).

Click on ‘Search VIN’ to preview the vehicle specs and some records.

Complete the payment process to generate and view your vehicle history report. You can download or print the report as a PDF for future reference.

To get the window sticker, click “Get window sticker” in the form above to get redirected to the Kia window sticker lookup page. Follow the instructions that follow.

View Sample Report Get Kia Vehicle History Report

You ever look at your Kia’s VIN and wonder, What even is this jumble of numbers and letters? It’s not just a random set of digits—it’s basically your car’s DNA. And if you know how to use it, you can unlock a ton of important info. Whether you’re buying, selling, insuring, or just trying to figure out if your car’s ever been in a wreck, that little VIN is your best friend.

1. Verify the Kia’s Identity and Authenticity

Ever met someone who looks nothing like their driver’s license photo? Yeah, cars can have that problem, too. The VIN is how you double-check that your Kia is exactly what the seller claims—model, year, engine, trim, all the details. No surprises. No. “Oops, it turns out this isn’t an SX Turbo; it’s a base model with a fancy badge.”

2. Legalities and Registrations

Want plates? You’ll need the VIN. Want insurance? VIN. Want to prove the car is legally yours? VIN. The DMV, your insurance company, and your lender (if you have one) all use this number to make sure everything checks out. If you’re buying a used Kia and something seems off—like the VIN on the dash doesn’t match the one on the door frame? That is a huge red flag. Walk away.

3. Track the Vehicle’s History

This is huge if you’re buying used. A simple VIN check can pull up everything from past owners and accident history to mileage records and even whether the car’s ever been labeled “salvage” (which, by the way, means it was probably totaled at some point). It’s like snooping through a car’s diary—except it is totally legal.

4. Recall History

Kia’s had its fair share of recalls over the years (hello, fire risk warnings). The easiest way to see if yours is affected? Run the VIN through a recall database. If there’s a pending recall, you can get it fixed for free—because no one wants to be the person whose car catches fire in the driveway.

5. Insurance & Loans

Ever wonder how insurance companies decide your rates? They’re checking your VIN for things like accident history, theft reports, and even the original specs of your car. If you’re financing, lenders do the same—because they want to know exactly what they’re putting their money into.

6. Report and Track Stolen Vehicles

If your Kia ever gets stolen, the police can track it using the VIN. They can also flag it in databases, so if someone tries to re-register it, they’ll get caught. Pro tip: Don’t just memorize your license plate—keep your VIN written down somewhere safe.

Popular Kia Models to Explore with our Kia VIN Decoder

You can easily decode any Kia VIN format – standard 17-digit or classic car VINs ( 5 – 14 digits long) using our Kia VIN number decoder. Here are some Kia models you may be interested in:

Forte	Sportage	Niro
Optima	Sorento	EV6
K5	Telluride	K900
Rio	Stinger	Stinger
Soul	Carnival	Cadenza
Seltos	Sedona	Spectr

Other Available Kia VIN Tools

Kia Paint Code by VIN	Kia Options by VIN	Kia Warranty Check by VIN
Kia Build Sheet by VIN	Kia Specs by VIN

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I find the VIN number on my Kia

For your Kia VIN number location, check the following places :

On the dashboard of the vehicle, near the windshield.
On the driver’s side door jamb.
On the engine block, check under the hood.
Check a sticker typically located behind the door latch.
On the car’s title, registration, maintenance book, or the auto insurance policy.

How do I decode my Kia VIN number

Simply use our accurate Kia VIN number decoder tool to assess basic information, including the year, make, model, engine, transmission, and more. For detailed information on specs, options, warranty, MSRP, and fuel economy, get the Kia window sticker. This makes decision-making easy during car transactions.

What does a Kia VIN check provide?

By conducting a Kia VIN check, you can uncover hidden truths about the history of any used Kia. These include the ownership history, mileage history, lien, recall information, maintenance history, theft records, and more. With this revelation, you can easily make an informed decision and buy with confidence.